“South Africa, this is for you,” she said in an interview after the pageant. “I’m so proud of you, and I’m proud to be your representative.”

Strauss, 22, inherited the crown from Miss World 2013, Megan Young of the Philippines. She won the title over runner-up Miss Hungary Edina Kulcsar and Miss United States Elizabeth Safrit took third place.

Strauss, a fourth-year medical student at University of the Free State, put her studies on hold after being crowned Miss South Africa in March. In her official Miss World 2014 introduction video, she credits former South African President Nelson Mandela with paving the way for her to pursue a career in medicine by creating a democratic South Africa.

Strauss said she looked forward to continuing the legacy of Miss World CEO Julia Morley, founder of “Beauty With a Purpose,” a nonprofit that supports humanitarian projects of Miss World contestants.

March 30, 2014; Exclusive: Our New Miss South Africa, Rolene Strauss.Miss South Africa:

Rolene is from the Mpumalanga province and matriculated in 2010. Speaking English and Afrikaans, Rolene is in her first year of studying Medicine and believes she has the characteristics to become an ambassador of South Africa. She is a model for an agency and also holds the title of Miss Diaz 2010 — 2011. She enjoys staying active and has blue-green eyes.
Rolene is thoroughly looking forward to participating in the Miss South Africa pageant and is excited to share the experience with the other finalists.